Objective
Plate Tectonics (PT) is a well-established framework of moving plates made of oceanic and continental lithosphere. The main driving force of this system is the slab pull, a force imposed as the older and colder subducting plate sinks into the asthenosphere at convergent boundaries, producing Low Temperature/High Pressure (LT-HP) metamorphic rocks. Although our understanding about PT has improved in the last decades, there are major unknowns remaining, namely when and how its onset took place, a highly controversial topic. The record of LT-HP metamorphic rocks becomes continuous only from 850-750 Ma onwards, but recent evidence of these rocks at 2100-2000 Ma suggests a similar Tectonic regime operated at this time as well. An outstanding question arises: did Plate Tectonics, as we know it today, begin to operate only 850Ma ago or did this change take place much earlier but disappeared as the result of a preservation bias affecting LT/HP rocks? FINGER-PT will test this hypothesis using detrital minerals in sedimentary rocks that can track older LT-HP. Key minerals that can retain pressure, temperature, and age (P-T-t) information will be used, applying chronothermobarometric tools. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we will (i) combine the existing tools with new ones to obtain reliable P-T-t conditions; ii) test these tools and study the survival of eroded LT-HP terranes via mineral analyses in analogue modern sediments draining an exposed subduction zone; iii) identify and sample the most appropriate units, whose detrital minerals record the last 1000 to 4000 Ma, to trace the secular evolution of cold subduction. The emerging new tools from FINGER-PT, some that push current technological boundaries, will be widely applied by other petrologists. Establishing when modern-day PT began will influence the geodynamic mechanisms proposed for the early Earth (e.g. sluggish tectonics), forcing a shift of current conceptual models on the evolution of Earth systems.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3004-531 COIMBRA
Portugal
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.